In vitro fertilization microscope

ABSTRACT

A dual stereo-compound microscope that is enabled to change between stereoscopic observation and compound observation while illuminating a sample with illumination. While shifting between a stereoscopic view and a compound view, the sample being viewed remains parcenter and parfocal.

This is a continuation of Application No. 10/464,637 filed Jun. 19,2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,930,828, which claims benefit of ProvisionalApplication No. 60/390,118 filed Jun. 21, 2002, the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/390,118, filed Jun. 21, 2002; the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference. This invention relates to microscopes for viewingsamples in biological procedures, such as for in vitro fertilizationtechniques, or for other uses wherein there is a need to alternate theview of the sample between two dimensions and three dimensions whileusing a cold light source for illumination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Microscopes are well known for the human observance of biologicalprocesses and procedures. The invention of the microscope is variouslyaccredited to Zacharias Janssen, a Dutch spectaclemaker, c. 1590, and toGalileo, who announced his invention in 1610. Today's compoundmicroscope is widely used in bacteriology, biology and medicine for thescrutiny of extremely miniscule objects such as bacteria, unicellularorganisms, and the cells and tissue of plants and animals. Some compoundmicroscopes are capable of resolving objects as small as 5000 Angstromsand some electron wave microscopes (e.g. scanning tunneling microscopes)are capable of viewing objects even as small as a single Angstrom. Themicroscope has been extremely important in the development of thebiological sciences.

One area of biological science to benefit immensely from the microscopeis the area of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Modem IVF has helpednumerous women to achieve their dream of bearing children. Modem IVF isalso used to help replicate endangered animal species as well as foranimal husbandry in general.

Fraught with challenges, however, the procedures required of the IVFlaboratory are extremely tedious, delicate, time and labor intensive, inaddition to being costly due to the previous considerations. While beinghandled delicately, eggs are selected and injected with sperm.Heretofore, this task of selection and injection has been accomplishedwith two microscopes on different platforms, as explained below.

After being harvested, eggs are placed in Petri dishes and stored inincubators.

Later, the Petri dishes with the eggs are removed to heated platformsfor observance beneath a stereoscopic dissecting microscope where theyare stereoscopically examined, cleaned and selected. The Petri disheswith the eggs are then returned to the incubators and later transportedto a different heated platform for observance beneath a compoundmicroscope for injection with sperm.

The previous procedure is often perilous to the eggs. A major cause forfailure is the requirement of continual handling and re-handling of thespecimens. Each time a dish of eggs is handled and moved, the eggs arein imminent danger of damage, contamination or destruction, whether fromchanges in temperature or from inadvertent human clumsiness. Theslightest damage to the eggs can result in a failed IVF.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providea microscope which limits the perils and potential harms describedabove, in addition to overcoming other disadvantages of the prior art.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a microscopefor viewing samples stereoscopically or compoundly. The microscopeincludes a stereo objective; a compound objective; an objective changerfor objective changeover, the objective changeover enabling the switchbetween the stereo objective and the compound objective or between thecompound objective and the stereo objective in a viewing path of themicroscope; a microscope body; and a cold light source for providingillumination for use with both the stereo objective and the compoundobjective.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a microscopehaving a mirror system for stereoscopic viewing and a condenser systemfor compound viewing.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide amicroscope having a mirror system with a two-sided mirror with a firstside that is high gloss and a second side that is frosted.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a stereoobjective that is upright in relation to the microscope body and acompound objective that is inverted in relation to the microscope body,as well as further including manipulators and injectors capable ofadvancing into and retracting from an optical path.

Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide amicroscope including a heated stage capable of holding a plurality ofPetri dishes and having a heated stage including a safety lip at theouter peripheral edges of the heated stage, the safety lip prohibitingaccidental dislodge of any Petri dish located on the heated stage.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide amicroscope including a prism mechanism capable of being positioned inthe path of a single-axis image for creating binocular images from asingle-axis image.

It is yet an additional object of the present invention to provide anoptical microscope system that permits at least two optical viewingtechniques. The optical viewing techniques include: means for viewingsamples in three dimensions and means for viewing samples in twodimensions. Both optical viewing techniques include means for enabling acold light for illumination.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide anoptical system wherein a means for viewing in three dimensions includesat least one stereoscopic objective and a means for viewing in twodimensions includes at least one compound objective.

It is additionally an object of the present invention to provide amicroscope for viewing samples including: stereo objective means forviewing sample stereoscopically; compound objective means for viewingsamples compoundly; objective change means for changing between thestereo objective means and the compound objective means; a microscopebody; and a cold light source means for providing illumination for boththe stereo objective means and the compound objective means.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide amicroscope wherein the sample being viewed remains in the viewing fieldand in focus before, during and after an objective change.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, maybe further understood by reference to the drawings that include FIGS. 1and 2, taken in connection with the following descriptions.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an external view of an embodiment of thepresent invention including controls and components; and

FIG. 2 is an example of internal optics and controls used in accordancewith an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following description of illustrative non-limiting embodiments ofthe present invention discloses specific configurations and components.However, the embodiments are merely examples of the present inventionand are not limiting. The specific features described below are merelyused to describe such embodiments and to provide an overallunderstanding of the present invention. Accordingly, one skilled in theart will readily recognize that the present invention is not limited tothe specific embodiments described below. Furthermore, the descriptionsof various configurations and components of the present invention thatare known to one skilled in the art are omitted for the sake of clarityand brevity.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a non-limiting, preferred embodiment of thedual stereo-compound IVF microscope. An observation member 104 isprovided near a top portion of the dual stereo-compound IVF microscope100 and includes an eye port 102(a) for a right eye and an eye port102(b) for a left eye. The observation member 104 also includes avideo/photo port 120. The observation member 104 allows for real-timeobservation (as in direct human observation) via the eye ports 102(a)and 102(b), as well as for recorded observation via the video/photo port120 (including still photography or videography means, in analog ordigital forms).

The dual stereo-compound IVF microscope 100 also includes an auto/manualshift mechanism 140 which allows either automatic or manual selectionbetween stereoscopic and compound modulation contrast observations.While auto/manual shift mechanism 140 operates mechanically in anon-limiting, preferred embodiment, auto/manual shift mechanism 140 mayalso be operated by an electric motor, air pneumatics, liquid hydraulicsor a combination of the previous. Furthermore, the shift mechanism 140,while shown as a switch, could also be a button, knob, or other actuatorcontrol.

The dual stereo-compound IVF microscope 100 also includes a zoom adjust160. The zoom adjust 160 operates in conventional fashion, moving a lensor lens group in relation to a fixed lens or lens group, altering themagnification as it appears in the video/photo port 120 or the eye ports102(a–b).

The dual stereo-compound IVF microscope 100 includes the capability ofviewing a sample in either of a stereoscopic or compound mode. That is,while viewing a sample and without the need to move the sample, a usercan alternate back and forth between viewing modes, for example, fromstereoscopic viewing to compound viewing or vice versa. In a furthernon-limiting embodiment, fluorescent accessories may be added to thesystem, enabling the ability to alternate back and forth betweenillumination sources, for example, from fluorescent illumination tobrightfield illumination or vice versa, also without moving the sample.

The dual stereo-compound IVF microscope 100 permits viewing a sample andalternating the viewing mode while the sample remains parcenter andparfocal. That is, the viewing sample remains centered and focusedbefore, during and after the change from one viewing mode to the next,and back again.

The previously noted duality of viewability is enabled by shift system240, which shifts the stereoscopic objective lens 180 (or lens 560 inFIG. 2, as explained in greater detail herein) into and out of theviewing/observation path. In stereoscopic observation mode, the opticalviewing/observation path extends in a straight, vertical direction fromthe top area of observation member 104 to the sample being viewed, withthe stereoscopic objective lens 180 (560) in-between. This process isexplained in greater detail in relation to FIG. 2, herein, including thedescription of a condenser lens 590 and titling mirror 580.

The focus of the stereo lens is adjusted using the focus stereo lensadjustment knob 200. The focus of the condenser lens 590 (FIG. 2) isadjusted using the focus compound lens adjustment knob 280. While thefocus stereo lens adjustment knob 200 and the focus compound lensadjustment knob 280 are both shown as knobs moveable in at least twodirections, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that theknobs may alternatively be buttons, levers or other actuators moveablein a multiplicity of directions.

A further non-limiting characteristic is shown by themanipulator/injector shift system 320, which moves manipulators andinjectors in and out of the viewing path area of the dualstereo-compound IVF microscope 100. The manipulators are used instereoscopic observation mode for examination, selection and cleaning ofthe eggs. The manipulators are used again along with the injectors incompound observation mode for injecting sperm into the eggs. Ininstances where the manipulators are used, manipulator stance member 340holds the manipulators in a position from which the manipulator is ableto pivot and rotate within a prescribed range of motion.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a heated stage 260,which keeps specimens supplied thereon within about 37.5 degrees Celsius(or approximately within 0.1 degrees Celsius of a set temperature). Theheated stage 260 provides the warmth needed by the eggs to remainviable. The heated stage 260 further includes a safety rim 220, whichkeeps Petri dishes located thereon from accidentally dislodging andthereby becoming damaged.

In the center of the heated stage 260 is the dish insert 360, whereinPetri dishes are inserted so as to be directly within theviewing/observation area of the dual stereo-compound IVF microscope 100.The heated stage 260 is moveable in at least two directions through theuse of stage control knobs “Y” 380 and “X” 400. The first knob 380 movesthe heated stage 260 in a direction along the “Y” axis and the secondknob 400 moves the heated stage 260 in a direction along the “X” axis,for ease of sample observation/viewing. While both knobs 380 and 400 areshown as knobs moveable in at least two directions, one of ordinaryskill in the art would recognize that the knobs may alternatively bebuttons, levers or other actuators moveable in a multiplicity ofdirections.

Another aspect of the invention includes the fine focus knob 420 and thecoarse focus knob 440. Both knobs are used to focus the image of thesample being viewed in the viewing/observation path of the dualstereo-compound IVF microscope 100. While both knobs 420 and 440 areshown as knobs moveable in at least two directions, one of ordinaryskill in the art would recognize that the knobs may alternatively bebuttons, levers or other actuators moveable in a multiplicity ofdirections. Both knobs 420, 440 may also be motorized.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown by the manual shiftmechanism 300 which allows for manual selection between stereoscopic andcompound modulation contrast observations. While the manual shiftmechanism 300 operates mechanically in a non-limiting, preferredembodiment, it may also be operated by electric motor, air pneumatics,liquid hydraulics or a combination of the previous. Furthermore, themanual shift mechanism 300, while shown as a lever, could also be abutton, knob, switch or other actuator control.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention includingoptics internal to a dual stereo-compound IVF microscope. Alternativeviewing/observation paths with multiple axes are shown. One suchviewing/observation path is used for stereoscopic observation ofsamples. Another viewing/observation path is used for compoundobservation of samples.

A first viewing path, used for stereoscopic observation, progresses fromthe eyepiece 500, through the zoom optics 510 (which operate inconventional fashion in that a lens or lens group is moveable inrelation to a fixed lens or lenses, thereby being capable of changingthe magnification of the sample as it is viewed through eyepiece 500)and the stereo lens 560 to the sample being viewed on sample tray 600and comprises both a right and a left optical path.

Stereo lens 560 is shiftable using the shift system 240 (as described inrelation to FIG. 1) and shifts in conjunction with prism 530, mirror580, compound polarizer modulator 570, and condenser lens 590. Whenstereo lens 560 is in the viewing path, the compound polarizer modulator570, mirror 580 and condensor lens 590 are shifted out of a secondviewing path used for compound observation, and vice versa.

Cold illumination for use during stereoscopic viewing arrives atillumination stereo port 670 through shutter 680 a. In a preferredmethod, the cold illumination arrives via fiber optic line. When shutter680 a is open, light travels to mirror 640, where it is reflected to avertical direction, illuminating the sample from beneath and wherein thesample is being viewed from the top of dual stereo-compound IVFmicroscope 100.

The second viewing path, used for compound observation, also begins ateyepiece 500 and then travels through the zoom optics 510, which operatein conventional fashion in that a lens or lens group is moveable inrelation to a fixed lens or lenses, thereby being capable of changingthe magnification of the sample as it is viewed through eyepiece 500.The second viewing path is diverted from the vertical and dual axes asprovided at the eyepiece 500 to a horizontal and singular axis by prism530. That is, prism 530 not only directs the optical path from verticalto horizontal, but also splits the previously singluar axis to dual axesfor binocular viewing at eyepiece 500.

Transport optics 520 a propagates the single axis image between prism530 and image directing prism 540. At image directing prism 540, thesingle axis image is diverted from the horizontal to the vertical alongtransport optics 520 b. The second viewing path extends to imagedirecting prism 660, where the viewing path changes again from thevertical to the horizontal and is transported by transport optics 520 c.The second viewing path once more changes from the horizontal to thevertical at prism 630, where the viewing path runs through the compoundobjective modulation contrast 620, the sample on sample tray 600 and thecompound condenser objective 590.

Cold illumination for use during compound viewing arrives atillumination stereo port 550 through shutter 680 b. In a preferredmethod, the cold illumination arrives via fiber optic line. When shutter680 b is open, light travels to mirror 580, where it is reflected to avertical direction, illuminating the sample from above and wherein thesample is being viewed from the bottom of dual stereo-compound IVFmicroscope 100 in a fashion inverted to how a stereoscopic sample isviewed in the dual stereo-compound IVF microscope 100.

The above embodiments clearly have various advantages over the priorart. Advantageous characteristics in the embodiments of the presentinvention include: a reduction in time and labor in that the eggs may beobserved for all procedures beneath one microscope; a reduction in theamount of space needed in the laboratory in that only one platform isnecessary versus two platforms; enhanced security and safety for theeggs in that they are handled fewer times, lessening the risk of humanmistake, clumsiness or inadvertence; and, further, a cost reduction inthat one microscope platform is less expensive and cheaper to maintainthan two microscope platforms.

The previous description of the preferred embodiments is provided toenable a person skilled in the art to make and use the presentinvention. Moreover, various modifications to these embodiments will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principlesand specific examples defined herein may be applied to other embodimentswithout the use of inventive faculty. For example, some or all of thefeatures of the different embodiments discussed above may be deletedfrom the embodiment. Therefore, the present invention is not intended tobe limited to the embodiments described herein but is to be accorded thewidest scope defined only by the claims below and equivalents thereof.

1. A microscope comprising: a microscope body; a stereo objective mounted to the microscope body; a compound objective mounted to the microscope body; wherein the stereo objective and the compound objective may be alternately used for alternatively viewing a sample stereoscopically and compoundly, respectively; wherein the microscope includes a first and a second viewing path; and wherein the first viewing path is used for stereoscopic observation through the stereo objective and the second viewing path is used for compound observation through the compound objective; and further comprising a mirror system mounted to the microscope body and capable of moving into the first viewing path for stereoscopic observation and further capable of moving out of the first viewing path for compound observation.
 2. The microscope of claim 1, wherein the stereo objective is shifted into the first viewing path for stereoscopic observation and the stereo objective is shifted out of said first viewing path for said compound observation.
 3. The microscope of claim 1, further comprising at least one cold light source providing illumination for both the stereo objective and the compound objective.
 4. The microscope of claim 1, wherein the stereo objective is upright in relation to the microscope body and the compound objective is inverted in relation to the microscope body.
 5. The microscope of claim 1, further comprising a condenser system mounted to the microscope body and capable of moving into the second viewing path for compound observation and further capable of moving out of the second viewing path for stereoscopic observation.
 6. The microscope of claim 1, wherein the mirror system comprises a two-sided mirror with a first side that is high gloss and a second side that is frosted.
 7. The microscope of claim 1, further comprising manipulators and injectors mounted to the microscope body and capable of being positioned in at least one of the viewing paths of the microscope.
 8. The microscope of claim 1, further comprising a heated stage mounted to the microscope body and positioned in at least one of the viewing paths of the microscope, the heated stage capable of holding a plurality of Petri dishes.
 9. The microscope of claim 8, wherein the heated stage comprises a safety lip at outer peripheral edges of the heated stage, the safety lip prohibiting accidental dislodge of any Petri dish located on the heated stage.
 10. The microscope of claim 1, further comprising a prism mechanism capable of being positioned in the path of a single-axis image for creating binocular images from the single-axis image. 